When it comes to men’s suits, there are certain guidelines around mixing and matching colors. While the traditional advice is to match your jacket and pants exactly, sometimes you may want or need to pair separates. As long as you understand the basics around suit color coordination, you can pull off mixed suits with confidence.
Guidelines for Mixing Suit Colors
The most important rule when mixing jacket and pant colors is to make sure they are in the same color family. For example, pair a navy jacket with navy or dark charcoal pants. Or combine a medium grey jacket with light grey pants. Trying to match a navy jacket with tan pants will look mismatched. Here are some top tips for coordinating suit separates:
- Stick with neutral colors like navy, charcoal, black, tan, light grey when mixing and matching. These are easy to pair together.
- Match the formality of the jacket and pants. Don’t wear a business suit jacket with casual pants.
- Pick pants in a slightly lighter shade than the jacket. This looks more natural and balanced.
- Add in a coordinating vest, tie, or pocket square to pull the look together.
- Check colors in natural light to ensure they complement each other and there is enough contrast.
- If mixing blues like navy and royal blue, make sure they have the same undertone.
Matching Classic Suit Colors
Most men’s suits come in classic neutral shades that are easy to mix and match. Here are some go-to color combinations:
| Jacket Color | Pant Colors to Match |
|---|---|
| Navy | Dark charcoal gray, light-medium gray, tan |
| Charcoal gray | Light-medium gray, navy, black |
| Medium gray | Light gray, tan, navy |
| Black | Charcoal gray, medium-light gray |
| Tan/khaki | Light gray, navy, brown |
These versatile neutrals can be easily swapped to create a range of different looks. For example, pair a navy jacket with tan pants for a summery feel. Or mix charcoal and medium gray for an elegant monochrome outfit.
Mixing Suit Patterns and Textures
In addition to color, you can mix and match jackets and pants in different patterns and textures:
- Solid jacket, patterned pants: Wear a solid navy or gray jacket with subtly patterned pants, like checkered, plaid or fine pinstripes. Anchor the look with a solid pant color.
- Textured jacket, solid pants: Pair pants in a neutral solid with a jacket in a textured fabric like corduroy, tweed or hopsack weave. This adds visual interest.
- Contrasting textures: Mix complementary textures like wool pants with a silk-blend jacket. Just ensure the colors work well together.
- Matching suit separates: Buy a jacket and pants together but in different fabrics like wool and linen. Wear as a summer suit.
When mixing patterns and textures, make sure they are relatively subtle. You don’t want the pants and jacket to clash or compete for attention. Start with versatile solids and add in patterns and textures cautiously.
Creating Contrast with Color
Contrasting colors can be used to create eye-catching suit combinations. Some options include:
- Pairing a bright saturated jacket with neutral pants. For example, a crimson jacket with gray pants.
- Matching a darker jacket with lighter pants, like navy with tan or charcoal with light gray.
- Complementary color combinations like navy jacket and burgundy pants.
- Distinct but tonally similar hues like rust and forest green.
When mixing contrasting colors, make sure they have a relationship on the color wheel. Colors that are complementary, triadic or analogous pair well together. Just avoid colors that clash.
Key Points for Mixing Suits
Here are some key takeaways when it comes to successfully combining suit separates:
- Match suits within the same color family for a coordinated look.
- Pair neutrals like navy, charcoal and gray with each other.
- Make sure the jacket and pants have the same level of formality.
- Pick pants in a slightly lighter shade than the jacket.
- Add accessories to tie the look together.
- Contrast colors and textures can be eye-catching when done right.
- Avoid colors and patterns that compete or clash with each other.
When to Avoid Mixing Suits
While mixing jacket and pant suits creates versatile looks, there are a few instances when it’s best to avoid it:
- Professional events: For important business meetings, networking events, etc. match your suit exactly.
- Formal occasions: Funerals, weddings and black-tie events call for a matching suit.
- Job interviews: You want to look polished and professional. Stick to a matched suit.
- Television appearances: Solid matched suits photograph and film better on camera.
- Courtrooms: Wear a conservative matched suit to convey respect.
For most casual and business situations, mixing suit separates is totally fine. But for formal, professional and special occasions, opt for a tailored matching suit instead.
Strategies for Buying Mix-and-Match Suits
Here are some tips for shopping for mix-and-match suit options:
- Look for suit separates sold together, so you know the pairing works.
- Stick to versatile solids and subtle patterns/textures.
- Buy during end-of-season sales to get discounted suit pieces.
- Consider made-to-measure suits that can be customized.
- Invest in classic colors like navy, gray and black.
- Get matching vests, ties and pocket squares.
- Take your time pairing separates to test what works.
Focus on suits and coordinating pieces that provide lots of mixing and matching possibilities. With some guidance around combining colors, patterns and textures, you can create endless sharp suit looks.
Conclusion
Mixing and matching suit jacket and pants is a great way to expand your wardrobe options. By following some basic guidelines around coordinating colors, patterns and textures, you can pull off mismatched suits with polish. Combine classic neutrals like navy, gray and tan for easy pairings. Add visual interest by mixing complementary colors, contrasting textures and subtle patterns. Just avoid mixing suits for very formal or professional occasions. With the right combination of style and confidence, mixed suits can look sharp, versatile and completely put together.
